Roosevelt Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jo Davidson
Jo Davidson (1883-1952) is considered one of the most renowned American sculptors of the twentieth century. He spent his career sculpting visionaries like Albert Einstein, Gertrude Stein (whose portrait-sculpture is on permanent display in Bryant Park, New York City), Helen Keller, and Walt Whitman.
A Visit to the White House
In December 1933 Davidson arrived in Washington, DC, by invitation from FDR's mother, Sara Roosevelt, to sculpt a bust of him. Working in the Oval Office across from the President, Davidson completed the final clay piece in two visits.
Of FDR, Davidson said "President Roosevelt won me completely with his charm, his beautiful voice and his freedom from constraint. He had an unshakable faith in man.... In Roosevelt's tremendous relief program, the artist too was included, and the influence of the WPA projects was tremendous."
Kahn and Davidson
The memorial's design included Davidson's sculpture at the Room. Davidson's original bust was scaled up from roughly eighteen inches to six feet in height and was poured in bronze.
Freedom from Want | Freedom from Fear
Erected by Roosevelt Island Historical Society.
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Location. 40° 45.105′ N, 73° 57.589′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Roosevelt Island. Marker is on East Road south of Road 3, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 FDR Four Freedoms Park, New York NY 10044, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Louis Kahn (here, next to this marker); Four Freedoms / Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (here, next to this marker); History / An Island Named for Roosevelt (here, next to this marker); Smallpox Hospital (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Smallpox Hospital (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Smallpox Hospital (a few steps from this marker); FDR Hope Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Strecker Memorial Laboratory (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
